Found Objects: Bachelor Meals

If there is one thing I love finding it's relics from another time - especially when they're family "heirlooms". For as long as I can remember, my parents have had Bachelor Meals or The Singles Only Cook Book on the shelf in the kitchen. A few weeks ago, I flipped through it again and loved it even more than I had remembered. The illustrations were always my favorite part - so colorful, so perfectly early-1970s... But now, I find I love the clever copy, and the recipes aren't bad either!

The story goes that the McIlhenny Tabasco Company produced this cookbook, originally published in 1971. I guess they marketed it in grocery stores or product boxes as a special offer. My Dad sent away for the cookbook back in the day  (as in, through the mail,) - I suppose to round out his kitchen repertoire so he could impress his lady friends. A few years later, my Mom came along, and while most things of my Dad's from that time are long gone, this little cook book has survived.

When I showed this to my friend the other night she said, "I cannot think of what is more awesome - that this book exists or that your father actually sent away for it..."

"Stalwart Breakfasts: Full-bodied fortifiers for days when business meetings are scheduled non-stop through lunchtime. Looking lean and hungry won't help your growing image of success."

"Elaborate Breakfasts: "Brunches," if you will, that double as breakfast and lunch. Bachelors with lined draperies are the only people who can really sleep late on weekends..." That line gets me every time.

"Undetected Lunches: Taking your lunch to work saves time, money and leftovers. Should anyone question the brown bag under your arm, explain it in vague terms with a slightly professional ring: "My stock portfolio...time for a thorough review." Or think up a cleverer disguise." I love how the commuters are shown hanging on to the loops in the subway...

I love that all the guys have proper mugs of beer for watching the game. Those "Halftime Hot Dogs" definitely sound delicious... On the other hand, since when did canned chilled consomme topped with sour cream turn into " Jellied Consomme Madrilene"?

"Dinners that Would Make Your Mother Proud: "Duty Night" includes washing, bill paying, letter writing, and assorted other necessities. Go whole hog. Concentrate on eating high-nutrition foods. If spinich is good enough for Popeye, it's good enough for you." I love that there's a mini "Whistler's Mother" on the wall... Black Tie Hamburgers sound damn delicious too.

"Dinners for a Maxi Crowd in a Mini Room: "How to" feed 20 - 30 people dinner in little bitty pieces at a time while they stand up and drink and smoke and talk and laugh all at once... or, six delicious hors d'oeuvres for a great cocktail party." I love how they mentioned the smoking bit in there...hilarious.

"Dinners that Greet the Dawn: When you rashly invite your friends to join you for a little something after the theater, make it at your place...dust off your Noel Coward records and be prepared to accept their compliments graciously." This is just priceless - who has Noel Coward records? Do you know if there may be some for sale on eBay? And yes, I always judge a man by how well he flambes bananas at three AM.

"Dinners that Celebrate Your Lifestyle: Forget the Identity Crisis. Be yourself and treat yourself to a gourmet meal on one of those nights when you find solitude all peaceful and quiet inside...and enjoy being a bachelor." Damn straight. I absolutely love this illustration - it's so Burt Reynolds. The books, the TV, the patterned chaise... My Dad used to make this Steak Tartar every so often, and I can say with confidence that it's delicious. Just like this whole book. Thanks to the Tabasco Brand for doing something so cool and so timeless...

Comments

[maura]

i miss this cookbook! i remeber it so well!